Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

rstand,” she said.

“You’re right, I don’t. But I want to.” His gaze searched hers, giving rise to a glimmer of hope. He needed more time, to help her and Shawn come up with the best possible options.

She stared at him, her blue eyes boring into his. “I want you to go,” she said, so softly he thought he’d misheard. She turned away to pick up her backpack. “Come on, Shawn, we need to get out of here.” Fisher had never felt such panic.

“But next week...” Shawn stopped, his lips pressed together.

But, even as his heart was breaking, Fisher understood. “Camp.” Next week was what Shawn had been waiting for. “Starts Monday—”

“I don’t have to go to camp,” Shawn said, his voice dull and resigned. He picked up his backpack, sniffing softly. “This is my fault anyway.”

“Shawn...” She sat on the couch, covering her face with her hands. “Dammit.”

Fisher didn’t know what to do. There had to be a way to give them what they wanted—without losing them. But his mind was blank, still processing the last ten minutes and trying to make sense of what had happened. All he could do was be there. “What do you need?” he asked.

Kylee glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I’ve got this, Fisher. We’ll be fine. You...you can go.”

That was the one thing he couldn’t do. Leave her? Shawn? Now? “I can’t,” he forced the words out.

There was a knock on the door then, startling them all. Fisher saw the way they jumped, how wide-eyed they were as they stared at the door. And it made his blood boil. How could he convince them he’d protect them? How could he explain that he would never let anyone or anything hurt—control them—again?

“Fisher?” It was Renata. “Kylee? Sorry to break up the snuggle fest.”

Fisher saw the siblings exchange a look, saw the instant easing of Kylee’s posture and expression. Instead of guarded and tense, Kylee looked defeated. And it tore at his heart.

Fisher opened the door to find his sister, smiling broadly, completely unaware that his heart was breaking and his world was falling apart.

“I talked Dad into bowling and thought you three might want to go...” Her voice faded and her smile dimmed. She paused, staring long and hard at him, Kylee and then Shawn. She stepped inside, sliding a reassuring arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Looks like you all could use some cheering up. And don’t tell me it’s nothing or to mind my own business, Fisher, because you know that’s not going to happen. What’s going on and how do we fix it?”

Chapter Twelve

Fisher stood, watching the wind blow through Kylee’s long black hair. Her attention was focused on Shawn riding around the corral. Not that she needed to worry, Shawn had more than proved himself as an able horseman this week. Still, she leaned into the fence, her forehead resting on the top beam, her arms crossed. Fisher could see the lift of her lips as Shawn glanced her way and knew she’d smiled that smile at her little brother.

His heart twisted sharply, the air he breathed in razor sharp and stinging.

Camp was almost over. And nothing had changed.

For four days he’d acted as if all was right with the world. And, according to Renata, he was doing a good job. So what if he’d hung his punching bag on his back porch and pummeled it until his hands were throbbing? No one knew. And it had given him an outlet for the frustration that twisted his insides, at least for a little while. Besides, scowling and stomping around wouldn’t do a damn thing to change Kylee’s plan to leave.

The problem was, he didn’t know what would.

Every day for the last four days, he’d greeted her with a ready smile at work and at the ranch. With Renata and his father’s persuasion, Kylee and Shawn had moved all their belongings into one of the rooms at the Lodge. It wasn’t far from Stonewall Crossing, but it wasn’t where Jesse thought they were. Between Renata and Shawn, Kylee had reluctantly agreed to stay for camp. And that ensured Fisher had more time with them...if only Kylee would cooperate.

Shawn went out of his way to point out how safe the ranch was. While Kylee reminded him over and over that it wasn’t their home. Even if that’s what Fisher wanted more than anything.

The week was almost up and he’d made no progress.

She dodged every smile or comment he offered, door he held open or hand he offered. Her eyes never met his—unless it was by accident. And then she’d look away, leaving him aching over the pain and sadness in her big blue eyes.

He wasn’t giving up. He’d never give up.

“Kylee said yes to Montana,” his father said, coming to stand beside him at the fence. “Kind of hard to argue with a job, a roof over your head and the added security of a seventeen-hundred-mile road between here and there.”

Fisher nodded. “Makes for a long drive back and forth on date night,” he said, smiling.

“Maybe,” his father chuckled. “But it was a good call, son. Your aunt Myra’s got that place to herself since Tandy and Toben up and left on her. Will do her some good to have extra hands on the farm. And, from the looks of it, Shawn’ll get a kick out of that, too.”

Fisher nodded again. “Boy looks like he was born on horseback.”